Testing the family bond

Apparently, there are a growing number of people who believe the Earth is flat despite evidence to the contrary. This week a bill was passed to ban shock collars in England yet there are still trainers and advocates who dispute the cruelty involved in zapping a dog with electricity. And new studies into the effects of castrating adolescent dogs and behaviour shows that it might not be necessary after all. Science constantly evolves and theories are questioned and yet there are some 'statements' that just stick no matter how hard you try and clear the view. Those are the ones that apply to our need to affiliate our canine with its ancestor, the wolf. Are using words such as 'Alpha', 'hierarchy' and 'pack mentality' just easy to explain our dogs' behaviour or despite modern science, are some of us always going to be 'flat Earth believers'?
Having 10 dogs is always a conversation starter at any party or even a new consultation. "Who's the boss (Alpha)?", "Do they fight over food (pack mentality)?", "Are they always fighting for attention (hierarchy?)?". Until you live in a multi-dog household, it is almost impossible to explain that all of the above statements don't exist, in the simplest sense. However, as trainers and behaviour consultants in the 21st century, we have all but dismissed the idea that dogs live like wolves but is this entirely true? Victoria Stillwell stated that dogs have evolved to live together in a similar way to humans, like a family if you like. There can be scuffles like any brothers and sisters but ultimately there is a strong familial bond between them. If the fact that my dogs are happy to have hundreds of canine guests every year without argument and eat together without snarls then one would suggest that the above statement would fit better than the wolf pack theory. However, a recent incident in the park showed what most people would see as pack mentality. A particular dog has been harassing my morning foursome for a while. The dog runs circles around us in ever decreasing circles snarling and baring its teeth and I, like any responsible owner, keep mine at side and on lead. Unfortunately, this is not to be said of this dog's owner, he doesn't care. Last week, I'd had enough and decided to let my dogs loose. I wish I had my camera. Pack strategy at work. Did they all rush at the dog? No. Did they stay by my side and cower? No. They moved almost as wild dogs hunting prey. They made a wide circle continuously moving and barking with me in the middle. No way was this dog going to get any one of them or me (at least I hoped that they were being protective?). One went forward then backed off as the other moved in, except Alice who hadn't a clue but thought it was fun to run around and round. The dog gave up in seconds and my little gang immediately returned to my side. Family bond or ancestral instinct?
One thing that has always struck me, well made me teary, is the way the Stewart dogs accepted Alice immediately. She is adored by all the dogs even when she winds one of them up. How did they know she wasn't a guest? If they retained the wolf pack instinct, surely the other female dogs would have pushed her out?
Perhaps the canine bond is more familial than first thought but the underlying ancestral traits remain? I would certainly love to hear from others who live in a similar household. Living with 10 dogs is certainly a research study in itself. They are definitely not a pack as some would suggest but not like a human family either. They are and always will be a fascinating and on-going source of study.
"All knowledge, the totality of all questions and all answers is contained in the dog"
(Franz Kafka)